LOCALadk Magazine

54 Spring 2019 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk "The Camino starts when you think it's finished." This was one of my favorite quotes from the many I saw along the way. Messages were seen handwritten on signposts, painted on walls and rocks, and even carefully chosen quotes scripted on pieces of notebook paper and hung on branches in the trees. Another such message was, "Don't rush. Where you are going is within yourself, deep within yourself." Yet another read, "It is essential to walk with the window to the mind wide open to allow the air to refresh the soul." Ever yone who experiences the Camino has their own messages that speak to them. With the help of the many personal guides I encountered, and Chodron's book, I consciously practiced com- passion for myself and others, letting go of attachment, fully ex- periencing an uncomfortable feeling rather than pushing it away, and releasing the grip of fear by being present in each moment. These were powerful lessons that I was able to practice daily. The act of getting up ever y morning for over two weeks and putting one foot in front of the other was a powerful reminder to keep moving for ward in life. I created enough of a habit during my time in Spain that these easily carried into my life back at home. Being among people who were on their own personal journeys, while simultaneously embracing our collective one, brought a re- freshing sense of community. Having time to reflect on myself and my life, my visions and goals, and what stands in the way of achieving them, and having self-awareness without distractions, were essential aspects of my experience. The physical reminders of written messages at key times felt like the universe was contin- ually guiding me. And finding my Camino family from around the world helped strengthen my belief in global unity. The wisdom I received from both the people and place played a significant role in the transformation of my life from this unique journey. When I first decided to hike the Camino Primitivo, it was to celebrate my 40th birthday with an epic adventure that repre- sented my resilience, independence, and my ability to step out of my comfort zone to experience something new and exciting. What I gained from this adventure was a reassurance that we are a human family that transcends borders, cultures, and religions. The message of one love that was spoken to me on my first day was a continuous theme throughout the entire journey. Whether you have a personal dilemma you are tr ying to navigate, you need some uninterrupted time to reconnect with yourself, or you want to experience a community of individuals acting as a web of con- nection, the Camino Primitivo offers a chance to immerse your- self in nature and rural Spanish life, while taking a rigorous walk in the mountains. The lessons you learn will be what you need to know, and the way you learn them will be largely based on your openness to receiving them. The Message. Buen Camino Translation: Don't rush because where you are going is within yourself, deep within yourself. Translation: It is essential to walk with the window to the mind wide open to allow the air to refresh the soul.

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